John Breckinridge was the vice-president elected in 1856. Breckinridge was nominated for the presidential election of 1860 for the Southern Democrats. After Democrats split, the Northern Democrats would no longer support him. Breckenridge favored the extension of slavery, but was not a Disunionist. Breckinridge also wanted to keep the Union together, but when the polls started he couldn't even get the votes of his own party.